Squam Lakes Watershed Plan Being Updated

HOLDERNESS — The Squam Lakes Association and Plymouth State University will host a Strategic Watershed Planning Meeting on Thursday, January 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the SLA Resource Center at 534 US Route 3.

In 1991, the NH Office of State Planning completed a Squam Lakes Watershed Plan. In the twenty-three years since the plan was adopted, a lot has changed in the region, however the plan has not.

Several graduate students at Plymouth State University, enrolled in a land use planning class, have focused on applying local planning concepts. The class is working with the SLA to better understand local town planning, identify current land use issues and priorities within local communities in the watershed to determine how a new watershed plan can best be developed.

The SLA is inviting boards of Selectmen, Planning Boards, and Conservation Commissions from Ashland, Center Harbor, Holderness, Moultonborough, and Sandwich as well as the Lakes Region Planning Commission to this meeting. Anyone concerned with the future of the Squam Lakes region is welcome to attend.

The meeting agenda includes an overview of watershed planning, the 1991 Squam Lakes Watershed Plan, preliminary work by the students in reviewing town Master Plans and land use regulations; a summary of the SLA's conservation, education, and recreation programs; and a discussion seeking input to help shape the development of future Squam Lake watershed planning efforts.

To learn more about the SLA and its up-coming events and programs, visit www.squamlakes.org or call (603)968-7336.